Plural source valved pressurized fluid dispenser



J. L. MASON 3,447,722 PLURAL SOURCE VALVED PRESSURIZED FLUID DISPENSER June 3, 1969 ora Sheet Filed Feb. 9, 1968 INVENTOR.

l -ff- (//M/w/E L MASQ/V J. L. MASON June 3, 1969 PLURAL SOURCE VALVE!) PRESSURIZED FLUID DISPENSER Filed Feb. 9, 1968 INVENTOR. L//MM/E L. /l//AO/V United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 222-136 12 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A fluids dispensing valve, wherein a stationary seat and movable valve member are disposed engageably at opposite sides of a flexible valve element at said opposite sides of which fluid passages are disposed, such that movement of the movable valve member away from the flexible valve element allows fluids to pass concurrently and in proportioned amounts at said opposite sides of said flexible valve element.

Background of the invention Various fluids dispensing valves have been used for the purpose of concurrent proportional dispensation of a plurality of fluids. There has been a requirement for a compact, simple and economical valve having a minimum of moving parts which will permit concurrent and proportional dispensation of a plurality of fluids.

In the art of mixing and dispensing pressurized (i.e. aerosol) shaving cream, and particularly the dispensing and mixing of fluids to generate an exothermic reaction for heating the shaving cream, the dispensing valves must be small, economical, compact and yet accurate in their proportional dispensation of the respective fluids to achieve the desired degree of heating of the shave cream while minimizing any dangers of malproportioning of the fluids due to improper valve operation. Some ingredients in the fluid would be injurious to the users face if dispensed in too great a concentration in the shave cream, and if dispensed in too small a quantity the desired heating would not be achieved. Additionally such valves must be capable of proportional dispensing of a plurality of fluids in such a manner that the two fluids may mix before reaching the outlet of the valve so that exothermic reactions generated by the ingredients in the fluids may take place to provide a hot lather shaving material, or the like. Fluids dispensing valve which are adapted, concurrently and proportionally to dispense a plurality of fluids may have difllculty in accurate proportional dispensation of a plurality of fluids, throughout a range of positions of their valve elements, from a partially open position to a fully opened position.

The preferable dispensing valve for the present invention is one in which the flow of fluids is not controlled by the amount by which the valve is open, but rather the valve is open or closed, and the flow of fluids is governed by orifice sizes other than the degree to which the valve is open. The present invention possesses this desirable feature.

The present invention is not limited to applications in which a hot composition is dispensed, but is useful in dispensing cool shave cream or the like. In a multiple (preferably two) fluid system, one fluid may contain some of the components for a shave cream, and the other fluid may contain the other components for the cream. When the fluids are mixed in the dispensing valve, a superior shave cream is dispensed, or one which was impossible to generate in known shave cream dispensers due to the incompatability of the components when in a single fluid system. Incompatability as used here, means inter alia, pH conditions, solubility, dispersion and the like.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to a novel fluids dispensing Valve wherein a flexible valve element is provided with opposite sides engaged by a generally annular valve seat and a generally annular poppet respectively; and wherein fluid passage communicate with opposite sides of the flexible valve element outwardly of the peripheral portions of the poppet and the valve seat, such that movement of the poppet away from the flexible valve element permits separate fluids ot flow at opposite sides of said flexible valve element at locations between said opposite sides and said respective poppet and seat.

Accordingly, such a flexible valve element with a cooperating stationary seat and movable poppet valve provides for concurrent and accurate proportional dispensation of a plurality of fluids even thou-gh the valve may be partially open or fully open. In accordance with the foregoing, the fluids dispensing valve of the invention may be very effectively used in connection with the dispensation of a plurality of ingredients as a single composition, such as may be required in exothermic reactions involving hot leather shaving cream dispensed from pressurized containers. The fluid dispensing valve of the invention is very small, compact and economically producible and which may be highly desirable for use in connection with aerosol hot shave lather dispensers, or the like.

The fluids dispensing valve of the invention may, however, be used for a great variety of purposes which relate to concurrent proportional dispensing of a plurality of ingredients (normally fluids) by a common valve operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a very simple and economical valve particularly adapted for use in concurrently dispensing a plurality of ingredients (preferably in fluid state) in accurate proportions relative to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple and economical fluids dispensing valve which is particularly adapted for use in mixing a plurality of fluids and dispensing the mixed fluids as a hot shave lather.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluids dispensing valve which is particularly adapted for use in accurately and concurrently dispensing proportional amounts of materials to create an exothermic production of hot shave lather.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing valve which is particularly adapted for use in dispensing a plurality of separate relatively reactive ingredients and to mix such -without permitting any of the mixed compositions to communicate with the separate ingredients remaining to be dispensed. Preferably the reactive ingredients are dispensed or dissolved in a liquid medium and one or more of the liquid media can be pressurized for dispensing the media. One of the media can be pressurized and the other media dispensed by a venturi or suction action created by dispensing the pressurized media.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluids dispensing valve which may be operable either by means of a tilting nozzle structure, or by a rectilinearly reciprocating actuator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel fluids dispensing valve comprising a flexible valve element having opposite sides which are engageable respectively by a stationary seat and a moveable poppet, and wherein fluid passages communicating with said opposite sides of the flexible valve element; said passages also communicating with two fluid containers, one of which is an outer container adapted to contain pressurized fluid, and the other which is an inner container of collapsible structure, whereby both fluids are pressurized when the inner container collapses in response to fluid pressure within the outer container so that both fluids are under substantially a common pressure differential at opposite sides of the flexible valve element and so that measured dispensation of the fluids relative to each other may occur when the poppet valve member is moved away from the flexible valve element in order that the flexible valve element may seek an intermediate position between the seat and the poppet valve member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel fluids dispensing valve, wherein a plurality of fluids are concurrently dispensed in accurate proportions relative to each other, and wherein the fluids after being dispensed enter the outlet of the valve and are forced through a tortuous passage means for efficient mixing of the fluids before they finally emerge from the outlet of the valve of the invention.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a pair of fluids dispensing container disposed in concentric relation with each other and showing a fluids dispensing valve of the invention in connection therewith;

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view taken from the line 2--2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged axial sectional view of the iiuids dispensing valve of the invention taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and showing the valve structure thereof in closed position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the valve structure of the invention in open position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken from the line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken from the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modifi cation of the present invention, and showing the valve structure thereof in closed position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the valve structure of the invention in open position;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken from the line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. l0 is a sectional view taken from the line 10--10 of FIG. 7;

FIG. l1 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the same plane as that shown in FIG. 7, and showing tortuous fluids passage means of the invention; and

FIG. l2 is a sectional view taken from the line 12-12 of FIG. 7.

Description of the preferred embodiments In accordance with the present invention, an outer hollow container 10 is provided with an enclosure end structure 12 of substantially conventional form. Supported in the central portion -14 of the enclosure end structure 12 is a valve housing 16 of the invention. Carried by the valve housing 16 is an inner container 18 which is of generally collapsible character. This container 18 may -be of thin flexible plastic material and may collapse is response to pressure of lluid 20 in the outer container 10.

The valve housing 16 and the valve structure of the invention container therein, are shown on a large scale in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The valve housing 16 is preferably constructed of plastic or other suitable material and includes a pair of axially concentric housing parts 22 and 24 which are telescopically connected together at 26. The housing portion 24 is provided with a cylindrical male portion fitted in a hollow cylindrical female portion of the housing part 22. These parts, at the telescopic connection 26, are interlocked by suitable annular ridge and groove structure 27 which is deflectably snapped together so that the housing parts 22 and 24, when assembled, are capable of withstanding substantial axial pressure of a valve operating spring 28 supported in a hollow bore portion 30 of the housing 24. This spring 28 bears on an annular ridge 32 of a poppet member 34 against a first side 38 of a flexible valve element 40. This flexible valve element 40 is substantially annular in 'form and is provided with opposite sides, one of which is engageable by the annular valve portion 36 of the poppet 34, and the other of which is engaged by a stationary annular seat portion 42 disposed `within the interior of the housing part 22, as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

A peripheral portion of the flexible valve element 40 is securely clamped between opposed ledges 44 and 46 of the housing parts 22 and 24, respectively.

The spring 28 being a compression spring tends to force the annular poppet portion 36 against one side of the flexible valve element 40 and to thus deflect it such that the opposite side of the flexible valve element 40 is securely and sealingly engaged with the annular seat 42 of the housing part 22.

The flexible valve element 40 is provided with a central opening 48 which forms a fluid passage, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The housing part 24 is provided with a hollow passage neck 50 around which an open end portion 52 of the collapsible container 18 is fitted. Thus, the hollow portion 50, together with the bore 30 of the housing part 24, forms a passage means communicating with the same side of the tlexible valve element 40 that is engaged by the annular valve portion 36.

The housing part 22 is provided with an annulus 54 therein which also communicates with a port 56 in the side wall of the housing part 22. The port S6 and the annulus 54 provides communication of fluids in the outer container 10 with a side of the liexible valve element opposite to that communicating with the bore 30 of the housing part 24. Thus, separate fluid passage means communicate with opposite sides of the flexible valve element 40 to conduct separate fluids, one of which `flows between- Ythe annular valve portion 36 of the poppet 34 and the flexible valve element 40; and the other which flows between the seat 42 and the exible valve element.

The uid which flows from the container 18 through the hollow passage 50, bore 30, and over the annular valve element 36 also flows through the opening 48 in the flexible valve element, -as indicated by arrows in FIG. 3. The fluids then ow into an outlet area of the housing part 22, this area being generally indicated at 58. A valve actuator 59 is mounted in the area 58 and provided with a sleeve 60 having a plurality of radial guide tins 61 and an enlarged peripheral portion 62 for maintaining axial alignment of the actuator 59 with the flexible valve element 40. A lower stem portion 64 carries the poppet member 34, and thus, this poppet member 34 is maintained in axial alignment with the flextible valve element 40 and the seat 42.

As shown in FIG, 6 of the drawings, the fins 61 are radially disposed and spaced apart to permit ow of fluids from the annulus 54 and the bore 30 upwardly into the outlet area 58, wherein the actuator member S9 is provided with openings 66 through which the fluids may flow subsequently to gain access to openings 68 through which the fluids successively flow into a bore 70 of a dispensing nozzle 72. This nozzle is tiltably mounted, as will be hereinafter described. This nozzle 72 is provided with an open end 74 through which fluids may ultimately be dispensed to a use area.

The nozzle 72 is provided with a peripheral portion 76 resiliently and tiltably mounted in a resilient seal member 78 intimately fitted to the periphery 76, but permitting tiltable deflection, as indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

The normally inner end portion of the nozzle member 72 is provided with spherical cam surface 80 bearing in a recessed cam surface 82 of the valve actuator 59. This recess 82 is provided with an upstanding ledge 84.

This ledge 84 is annular and is adapted to be engaged by a central portion of the spherical cam surface 80, as shown in FIG. -4 of the drawings, and to cause the valve -actuator S9, together with the poppet 34 to be moved into the position, shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the annular valve portion 36 is moved away from the exible valve element 40 to permit fluids under pressure, in the bore 30 and the annulus 54, to cause the llexible valve element `40 to seek an intermediate position between the spaced apart annular valve portion 36 and the seat 42. In this manner, the llexible valve element 40 seeks a substantially centered position between the `seat 42 and the annular valve portion 36 to allow desired measured amounts of the respective uids in the bore 30 and the annulus 54 to llow at opposite sides of the llexible valve element 40. Thus, the invention accomplished concurrent proportional dispensation or llow of the separate fluids at opposite sides of the flexible valve element 40, this flow then proceeds such that one of the fluids passes thnough the opening 48, ast hereinbeiore described, in the ilexible valve element 40, and both iluids then pass into the outlet area 58 in which the actuator 59 is disposed.

It will be appreciated that when the poppet member 34 is moved into partially open position or fully opened position, that the llexible valve element, due to lluid pressure on opposite sides thereof, will seek an intermediate position between the `seat 42 and the annular valve element 36, regardless of the degree to which the valve is opened, and therefore, the valve will provide for concurrent proportional ilow of the separate lluids at opposite sides of the ilexible valve element, regardless ofthe degree of opening oi the valve.

It will be appreciated, however, that when the spherical portion 80 of the nozzle member 76, engages the annular edge 84 of the valve actuator 59, that the valve may be forced to a completely open position, and that the ends 86 of the tins 60 may pass down to and in engagement with the ilexible valve element 40 to force it away from the seat 42 at a distance equal to approxi.- mately one-half of the actuating distance of the poppet valve 34. Thus, rapid or snap action opening operation of the valve may be accomplished to actuate the ilexible valve element 40 away from the seat 42, if desired.

The nozzle member 72 is provided with a substantially spherical shoulder structure 88 bearing on the inner side of the llexible seal 78 to provide for tilting and rocking motion of the nozzle 72 relative to the seal 78, and also to provide a bearing to react against pressure of the cam surface 80 relative to the recess 82 and ridge 84 of the valve actuator 59 which is opposed by compressive force of the spring 28, as hereinbefore described.

The flexible seal and retainer gasket '78- is held in the generally cup-shaped central portion of the end structure 14 of the container 10, as hereinbeiore described.

In operation, it will be obvious to hose lskilled in the art that the pressure iluid in the container 10 may act upon the periphery of the collapsible container 18, and that the walls of this container 18 may be very thin and readily dellectable, such as to provide for an almost identical pressure diilerential at opposite sides of the ilexible valve element 40, and with respect to separate fluids disposed in the outer container 20, and the inner container 1S. Thus, the overall combination of the container and valve structure of the invention provides for concurrent equal dispensation of lseparate iluids at opposite sides oi the ilexible valve element 40 due to the fact that substantially equal pressures are disposed at said opposite sides, and therefore may cause the llexible valve element 40 to seek a substantially accurate intermediate position between the seat 42 and the annular portion 36 of the valve member 34 when the valve member is moved to 6 a partially open position or to a fully open position, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

In a modification of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 12 inclusive of the drawings, the poppet member 34 engaged by the spring 28 in the housing part 24 is similar to the structure shown in FIG. 3; also the ilexible valve element-40 and the respective iluid passages communicating with the containers 10 and 18, are similar.

In the modiiication, the housing outlet, generally indicated at 58 is provided with a plurality of tortuous passage bailles disposed in spaced relation to each other. These batlles comprise a plurality of a lirst baille structure 90, as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. Each of the baffles is provided with a plurality of openings 92 therein, which are disposed near the periphery of each respective baille. Each baille 90 is provided with a central opening 94 closely fitted around the periphery of a Valve actuator stem 96- of a valve actuator 98 which functions similarly to the hereinbefore described actuator 59.

A plurality of second tortuous passage bailles, designated 100, are shown in detail in FIG. 10 of the drawings. Each of these bailles is provided with a central opening 102 somewhat larger than the actuator stem 96 so that the tortuous passage means, as disclosed in FIG. 7, causes a mixture of the two dispensed iluids passing from opposite sides of the flexible valve element 40. These fluids are mixed by lirst ilowing through one of the openings 102 in a baille 100, and then outwardly through a successive group of openings 92 in a respective baille 90. These bailles 90 and 100 are alternately disposed in spaced relationship to each other axially along the outlet area 58 in the valve housing part 24. Thus, iluids dispensed from the passages at opposite sides of the flexible valve element 40 pass upwardly between the iins 61, and then the two lluids pass through the tortuous passage means provided by the openings 92 and 102 in the bailles 90 and 100, respectively, all as shown in large detail in FIG. 1l of the drawings. It will be seen that each baille structure 90 is provided with an axially extending ilange 104 spacing it from the adjacent respective baille structure 100, and that each baille structure is provided with an axially extended flange 106 spacing it from the next adjacent baffle 90. These ilange portions 104 and 106 are closely iitted inside a bore portion 108 of the housing part 22.

An upper end portion of the actuator 98 is provided with a llat plane portion 110, this flat plane portion 110 is provided with peripheral llange portion 112 having notches 114 therein which are disposed adjacent to a bore portion 116 of the housing part 22 to provide for axial guidance of the actuator 98 in cooperation with the guidance provided by the iins 60 to maintain axial alignment of the poppet valve 34 relative to the llexible valve element 40 and the valve seat 42. l v

Engaging the flat plane portion 110 of the valve actuator 98 is a similar disc-shaped ilat plane portion 117 connected to a tiltably mounted dispensing nozzle 118. This nozzle projects through a flexible support and seal 120 similar to the seal 78, hereinbefore described."The nozzle 118 is provided with a hollow bore portion 122 communicating with the ilat plane portion 110, such that when the nozzle 118 is tilted into the position, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the mixed iluids may pass through the notches 114 and between the plane portion 110 and the complemental portion 117 of the nozzle 118 and outwardly through the bore 122 to an open end portion 123 thereof at which t-he mixture of the fluids is de-` livered in a form such as hot shave lather, or the like. The tortuous passage means is provided by the respective baille structures'90 and 100 to promote intimate mixing of the separate iluids dispensed by the valve of the invention, and is particularly useful for mixing two separate iluids which may produce an exothermic reaction, when mixed. t

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the accurate concurrent and proportional dispensing operation of the flexible valve element 40 and the cooperating parts of the valve may be very important and critical to the successful operation of the dispensation of two separate fluids which may react chemically.

Additionally, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that opposite sides of the flexible Valve element 40, when engaged by the annular valve portion 36 of the poppet valve 34 and the seat 42, in closed position, will prevent any of the reacted material on the outlet area 58 from communicating with the interior of the container 10, and the contents 20, or from communicating with the annulus 54, and also the liuid contents of the collapsible container 18. Thus, the iiuids remaining to be dispensed from the containers 10 and 1S are not contaminated nor reacted chemically preliminary to their passage through the valve and preliminary to their mixing with each other.

Thus, the valve structure of the present invention insures continued proper maintenance of the chemical character of the fluids in the containers 10 and 18 so that proper reactions of these fluids relative to each other may occur only in the outlet area and mixing area 58 of the various valve structures of the invention.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a fluids dispensing valve, the combination of: a valve housing; a poppet member reciprocally mounted in said housing; said poppet member having an annular valve portion; a flexible valve element having rst and second sides; a valve seat means in said housing engageable by said iirst side of said flexible valve element; said poppet member engageable with said second side of said flexible valve element; a spring tending to force said poppet member into iirm engagement with said flexible valve element and to hold said element rmly against said valve seat means; first and second passage means defining iirst and second passages communicating with opposite sides of said exible valve element and adapted to be closed when said poppet member and valve seat means are rmly engaged with the liexible valve element; an actuator means for moving said poppet away from said flexible valve element to allow said iirst and second passage means to open at opposite sides of said flexible valve element to permit communication between the passage means by by-passing said flexible valve element; a third passage means is the valve housing communicating with the first and second passage means when the poppet has been moved away from the flexible valve element.

2. The invention, as deiined in claim 1, wherein: said third passage means contains a tortuous path for causing thorough mixing of any fluids passing through said third passage means.

3. The invention, as deiined in claim 1, wherein: said actuator means is reciprocally mounted in said outlet and carries said poppet valve member, said actuator means having guide portions adapted to maintain axial alignment of said poppet valve member in relation to said ilexible valve element and said opening therein.

4. The invention, as deiined in claim 3, wherein: a hollow tilting nozzle member is tiltably mounted in said housing and is provided with a bore communicating with said outlet to receive a mixture of said rst and second fluids, said tilting nozzle having a cam portion thereon; said actuator means having a cooperating cam surface engageable by said cam portion, whereby tilting movement of said nozzle causes said cam portion and said cam surface to move said actuator means and to carry said poppet valve away from said flexible valve element.

5. The invention, as deiined in claim 4, wherein: said housing is provided with an end structure; and a flexible seal in said end structure; said flexible seal sealingly and texibly supporting said nozzle in tiltable relation to said valve housing.

6. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said container means comprises an outer container for holding one of said uids under pressure; and a collapsible container disposed in said outer container holding the other said `fluids; said collapsible container adapted to collapse in response to pressure of fluid in said outer container, said outer container and said collapsible container communicating with respective ones of said lirst and second passages; said collapsible container when collapsed in response to external pressure of fluid in said outer container tending to pressurize fluid in said collapsible container.

7. In a fluid dispensing valve, the combination of: a stationary valve seat means; a flexible valve element having tirst and second opposite sides, said iirst side engageable with said stationary seat means; a movable valve member engageable with said second side of said liexible valve element; and first and second passage means communicating with said iirst and second sides of flexible valve element, whereby separate pressurized fluids may llow from said -iirst and second passage means when said movable valve member is moved away from said flexible valve element.

`8. The invention, as dened in claim '7, wherein:v an outlet passage means is provided for said iiuids passing from said opposite sides of said ilexible valve element, said exible valve element, said seat and valve member being annular, said flexible valve element having an opening therein through which one of said fluids may pass when said valve is open, said outlet passage means thus communicating with both sides of said liexible valve element.

9. The invention, as defined in claim 8, wherein: tortuous passage means is disposed in said outlet passage means for causing said fluids to mix as they pass therethrough.

10. The invention, as defined in claim 7, wherein: a container means communicates with said rst and second passage means, said container means comprising an outer container for holding one of said uids under pressure; and a collapsible container disposed in said outer container, said collapsible container holding the other of said tluids; said collapsible container adapted to collapse in response to pressure of said diuid in said outer container, said outer container and said collapsible container communicating with respective ones of said first and second passage means, said collapsible container, when collapsed, in response to external pressure of fluid in said outer container tending to pressurize uid in said collapsible container, whereby when said valve member is moved away from said flexible valve element, said flexible valve element seeks an intermediate position between said seat and said valve member to provide for concurrent accurate proportional iiow of said fluids at said opposite sides of said exible valve element.

11. In a iiuid dispensing valve, a combination of: a stationary valve seat means; a movable valve element having iirst and second opposite sides, said first side engageable with said stationary seat means; a movable valve member engageable with said second side of said movable valve element; and lirst and second passage means communicating with said first and second sides of movable valve element, whereby separate pressurized 'iiuids may iiow from said iirst and second passage means when said movable valve member is moved away romsaid movable valve element.

12. In a fluids dispensing valve, the combination of a valve housing; a poppet valve member reciprocally mounted in said housing; said poppet valve member having an annular valve portion; a flexible valve element having rst and second sides and an opening therethrough; a valve seat means in said housing engageable by said rst side of said exible valve element; said poppet valve member engageable with said second side of said flexible valve element; a spring tending to force said poppet valve member into firm engagement with said eXible valve element and to hold said element -frmly against said valve seat means; rst and second passage means defining rst and second passages communicating with opposite sides of said exible valve element at portions thereof radially outward from said valve seat means and said annular valve portion of said poppet valve member; container means for maintaining rst and second fluids under pressure in communication with said ctrst and second passages; an actuator means for forcing said poppet valve away from said flexible valve element to allow said rst and second diuids to pass from said rst and second passages at opposite sides of said exible valve element and to ow such that one of said iiuids flow through said opening in said UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,241,722 3/1966 Nissen 222-136 3,285,286 11/1966 Jakubowski 137-628 3,406,877 10/1968 Fiangos 222402.1

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 137-607, 628; Z22-386.5, 402.1; 239-323 

